The Green Bay Packers have already clinched a spot in the NFL Playoffs with their 11-5 record. On Sunday, the take on the 4-12 Chicago Bears in a game that could determine was seed Green Bay ends up with in the NFC. If the Packers win and the Washington Commanders lose to the Mike McCarthy and the Dallas Cowboys, they will move up to the sixth seed. If they lose or the Commanders win, they will stay in the seventh seed.
Moving up to the sixth seed would mean that Green Bay would get a first round matchup with the Los Angeles Rams, but staying at the seventh seed would send them off on a Week One rematch with the Philadelphia Eagles.
While the Packers’ starters are going to play against the Bears on Sunday, they are not expected to play the whole game. Pro Bowl running back Josh Jacobs said as much in an interview with the media earlier this week.
That being said, one Packers writer believes that one defensive player that has been getting significant playing time should be benched.
The Green Bay Packers Are Urged to Bench TJ Slaton
In an article posted by Dairyland Express, Packers writer Richard Louis calls on the team to bench TJ Slaton over his inability to consistently get into the backfield:
“When the playoffs kick off, the Packers should bench defensive tackle T.J. Slaton.
“Slaton is one of multiple players along the defensive line who gets consistent snaps. The 27-year-old is third among defensive tackles in total snaps this season (410), logging at least 40% of snaps in seven games.
“Those are a lot of plays, and the Florida product hasn’t produced at a high level with these reps. Across 16 games, Slaton has 27 total tackles, one TFL, and one sack. Per PFF, he has a 43.1 overall grade (190th among 218 eligible defensive tackles) and a 42.0 run defense grade (174th among 218 eligible defensive tackles)
“He fails to get in the backfield consistently (13 pressures) and isn’t impactful in the run game.”
As Louis notes, Slaton does not grade well in either pass or run defense. In a possible playoff game against the Eagles and Jalen Hurts/Saquon Barkley, Green Bay needs to put their absolute best players on the field.
Karl Brooks Should Get More Snaps for the Green Bay Packers
Instead of giving snaps to Slaton, Louis suggests that Green Bay give more defensive snaps to Karl Brooks, whose blocked field goal in Week 11 gave the Packers a 20-19 victory over the Bears:
“They should give Karl Brooks more snaps instead. The Bowling Green product has compiled 20 tackles, three TFLs, and 3.5 sacks this season. He also has 23 total pressures and 16 hurries. The 24-year-old still outsnapped Slaton 417-410, but he needs an uptick in plays. Brooks has done more with his opportunities. He has three straight games playing in at least 40% of snaps, and that needs to continue.”
Green Bay’s starting interior defensive linemen, of course, are Kenny Clark and Devonte Wyatt. However, they will not play every single snap, so it is crucial for their backups to play at a high level as well.
Based on Louis’ analysis, Brooks is clearly the best backup they have and should see the field a bit more often.
